Coupler for pianos and player-pianos.



1. C. MOORE L E. L. WINSTON. COUPLER F011 PIANos AND PLAYER PlANos.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. I4. |914. I 1,157,573. Patented 001.1111915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

J. C. MOORE & E. L. WINSTON. couPLER Foriv PIANos AND PLAYER PlANos.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I4. 1914. 1,157,573. Patented Oct. 19, 1915. Y

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. C. MOORE &E. L. WINSTON.

COUPLER FOR PLANOS AND PLAYER PLANOS.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. 14, 1914.

1,157,573. Patented om. 19, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ooo oooooooo l \JV WITNESSES INI/EN T0196 I. C. MOORE & E. L. WINSTON. COUPLER FOR PIANOS AND PLAYER PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I4. 1914. 1,157,578. Patented 001.1111915.

J. C. MOORE & E. L. WINSTON.

COUPLER FOR PIANOS AND PLAYER PIANUS.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.14. |914.

1,157,573. Y Patented 0015.19, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

wmvsssg vg/fumes l J John Ch ford Moore Edwar I .Winsfon JOHN CLIFFORD MOORE AND EDWARD L.. 'WINSTON,

OF RUSHVILLE, NEBRASKA.

COUPLER FOR PIANOS AND PLAYER-PIANOS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oet. 19,1915.

A ppiicationaiea January 14, 1914. serial No. 812,112.

To all whom it may concern: l

Be it known that we, JOHN CLIFFORD MOORE and EDWARD L. VINsToN, both citizens of the United States, and residents of Rushville, in the county of Sheridan and State of Nebraska, have invented a new and Improved Coupler for Pianos and Player- Y, Pianos, of which the following is a full,`

more oct-aves higher or lower and connecting a sounding device in the bass with a sounding device an octave higher or lower, so that when any one sounding device is actuated either by pressing a key or uncovering a hole in the tracker board then the coupled-up sounding device is instantly actuated with the original sounding device.

In order to accomplish the desired result use is made of a valve bar provided with a series of channels each having an air inlet,

spring-pressed valves mounted on the said valve bar and controlling the airl inlets, theA said valves being normally closed and being adapted to be opened by movable members of the piano action such as the abstracts, and a series of pneumatics connected with the piano action and connected with the outlets of said channels. Use is also made of manually-controlled means for moving said valve bar into inactive position relative to its actuating member of the piano action so that the piano can be played by hand without the use of the coupler.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying draw.- ings forming a part of this specification, in

` which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 isa cross section of a piano provided with the impro-ved coupler; Fig. 2 is Aan enlarged cross section of part of the same; Fig. 3 is a reduced sectional plan view of the same on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional perspective view of the valve bar and the valves held thereon ;l Fig. 5 is a front elevation of part of the piano provided withthe improved coupler; Fig. 6 is a transverse section ofthe same and showing more particularly the manually-con- 'trolled' means for swinging the valve bar into inactive position; Fig. 7 is a cross section of the valve bar and its connection with the tracker board of a player piano. F ig; 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the Hexible tube connections between the-pneuniatics and the valve bar; and F ig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the iieXible tube connections between the tracker board, the pneumatics and the valve bar.

The piano shown in Fig. l is of the usual construction and is provided with keys A controlling the abstracts B of the usual piano action, having hammers C for sounding the strings D stretched in front of the sounding board E. Each of the abstracts B is provided with an adjustable button F engaged by the free end of the movable .member of a pneumatic H of any approved construction, the several pneumatics H being arranged in the piano casing preferably above the keys A, as plainly indicated in Fig. 1. The piieumatics H are connected with the usual wind chest I which in turn is connected b v bellows J adapted to be actuated by the feet of the player or by a motor, as the case may be, so that the air is exhausted from the wind chest I.

Sundry of the abstracts are provided with a second adjustable button G located a distance above the button F and each button G is adapted to engage the free end of a valve K controlling an air inlet L of a channel L -formed in a valve bar N extending lengthwise ofthe piano above. the series of pneumatics H, as plainly indicated in the drawings. The outlet end of each channel L in the valve bar N is provided with a nipple L2 and each nipple L2 that corresponds with a valve K actuated by a button G is con nected by-a rubber tube O or similar flexible connection with a distant pneumatic H either one, two or more Octaves higher or lower than the sounding device used for actuating the valve K.

The valve bar N is connected by a hinge P with a rail Q attached to the piano frame and on which normally rests the valve bar N so that the free rear ends of the valves K extend over the buttons G of the abstracts B. The front ends of the valves K are pivoted at K' on the top of the valve bar N and each valve K is normally held in a closed position on top of the valve bar N by the action of a spring R secured to a spring rail S supported by posts S from the valve bar rl`he under sides of the valves K are prei| rably provided with strips K2 oi' felt or other suitable material to tightly close the inlet ends L of the channels L.

'l`he operation is as follows: lYlien the bellows .l are actuated and a key A is pressed and the corresponding abstract B is moved upward. then the corresponding hamnier C sounds the corresponding string D and at the saule time if the raised abstract is provided with a button (lr. this button lifts the valve K thus allowing air to pass into the channel L and by way of the tube to a distant pneumatic ll to cause the saine to collapse. When this ta kes place the nur. able member of the collapsing pneumatic ll lifts the correspoinling button F of the distant abstract B whereby the said distant abstract l is lifted and the correspond ing haunner C sounds the corresponding string l). that is. both strings are practically sounded in unison at the saine time. As soon as the'player releases the key A the lirst abstract l is lowered and in doing so the button (l allows the valve K to close by the action of its spring l so that the distant pneumatic ll is free to inliate and in doing so lowers its button F and the abstract B connected therewith. From the foregoing it will be seen that by the arrangement described a second sounding device is autoinatically actuated as soon as the sounding device with which it is coupled is actuated so that both sounding devices are actuated simultaneously. `The second sounding de-4 vice may be one. two or more octaves higher or lower than the first sounding device by correspondingly connecting the pipes O with the corresponding pneumatics H and the channels L.

ln practice the connections are preferably made as shown in Fig. 8. in which sundry of the bass pneiunatics. preferably twelve in number. are coupled with second sounding devices an octave lower. The abstracts B of the coupled primary sounding devices control the corresponding valves K Aof the valve lar` and tie corresponding nipples L2 of the val\'e bar are connected'by rubber tubes with the said second sounding devices. Sundry of the treble pneumatics. preferably twentv-two in number, are connected in a similar manner with second sounding devices two octaves higher.

The sounding devices of the middle section of the key board are not coupled up as these sounding devices are frequently used when playing chords and reduire no coupling up. The last four sounding devices in the bass are also not coupled up as they are seldom used.

ln connecting for hand playing it is only necessary to make the connections as shown in Fig. S. so as to operate thirtyfour second sounding devices, twelve in the bass by first in hand playing the upper nipples LAx in the valve bar are not used and are plugged.

When it is desired to thrnvthe coupler out of action it is only necessary to swing the valve bar N upward into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, so that the free ends of the valves K are out of the path of the buttons Gr. In /order to impart a swinging motion to thefvalve bar N use is' made of a link Q pivotallv connected with the valve bar N and extending to the front of the piano so as to be within convenient reach of the player, as will be readily understood by reference, to Fig. 6.

lVhen it is desired lto use the coupler on a player piano then use is made of supplementary channels L each connected with an adjacent corresponding channel L, and the outlet of each auxiliary channel L3 is provided with a nipple L* connected by a rubber tube T with a tracker board opening U of a tracker board U over which passes the note sheet V for uncovering the tracker board openings U in the usual manner. It will be noticed that when a tracker board opening U is uncovered by the note sheet V then air is admitted to the channels L and L so that the pneumatic H. in the player chest I connected by the pipe O with the said channel L is deflated to actuate the corresponding abstract B.

In practice the connections are preferably made as shown in Fig. 9 in which sundry of the bass pneumatics. preferably twelve in number, are connected by tubes O leading from the nipples L2 of the valve bar to connect with second sounding devices an octave lower. Sundry of the treble pneumatics, preferably twenty-two in number, are connected with second sounding devices two octaves higher. by the tubes O. which connect the nipples L2 of the valve bar with said second sounding devices.

The last four sounding devices in the bass and the sounding devices of the middle section of the keyboard are shown as connected directly with the player chest and with the corresponding tracker board openings U by tubes T. It will be seen that there is no actuation of a third sounding device as before explained in reference to the arrangement disclosed in Fig. 8.

As shown in Fig. 9 the pneumatics of the' primary sounding deyic'es, that are coupled with second sounding devices, are connected directly with the corresponding tracker board openings U by tubes T so that the said primary sounding devices are actuated, as before described, when the correspondmg tracker board openings are uncovered by the note sheet. The sounding devices in the bass and treble that are not coupled up are also connected directly with the corresponding tracker board openings by tubes T.

Tubes T connect tracker board openings U with the nipples L4 of the valve bar corresponding to the nipples L2 to which the tubes O are connected so that air can pass directly Irom the tracker board openings' through the channels of the valve bar to the pneumatics corresponding with said tracker board openings. By tracing the connections from the tracker board openings through the valve bar and across to the nipples on the player chest, it will be seen that the ar` rangement does not interfere with the correct note sheet reading of the tracker board when the valve bar is' out of gear, and when the valve bar is in gear certain of the tracker openings are coupled up with second sounding devices.

It is understood that by having two rows L2 and L4 the desired connections can be readily made with the pneumatics H and the tra cker board U to actuate a corres onding sounding device, and that a distant sounding device can be actuated in conjunction with one actuated by uncovering a tracker board opening by the note sheet. It is also understood that nipples L2 or L4 not used for making a connection are closed up by plugs L5, as shown in Fig. 2.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 8, for hand playing only, the piano can be played with the valve bar either in or out of gear, and in the arrangement as shown in Fig. 9, with the tracker board connections, the player piano can be played through the tracker board connections with the valve bar either in or out of gear, or it can be played by hand either with or Without the valve bar in gear by leaving the note sheet on the tracker board at a point where there are no perforations in the note sheet.

In Figs. 8 and 9, J indicates the tube leading from the player chest I to the bellows. In these figures only the valves K for thirty-four second sounding devices, and the corresponding nipples or openings in the valve bar N are indicated.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a musical instrument of the character described having sets of bass and treble pneumatics, the combination of a piano ac` tion, a valve bar extending lengthwiseof the instrument above the pneumatics and having air inlet channels, springressed valves mounted on top of the said va ve bar and each controlling the inlety of an air inlet channel, the said valves being normally closed, means connecting the said valves with movable members of the piano action to open the said valves, the sets of bass and treble pneumatics being connected with sundry of the bass and treble sounding devices y oi the piano action, and means connecting the said bass and treble pneumatics with the outlets of corresponding air inlet channels, the valves of which are controlled by sounding devices of higher or lower octaves, the said valve bar being adapted to be moved out of operative position to prevent the sounding of an octave when a primary sounding device is actuated.

2. In a musical instrument of the character described having sets of bass and treble pneumatics, the combination of a piano action, a valve bar extending lengthwise of the instrument above the pneumatics and having a series of air inlet channels, valves mounted on top ofthe and each controlling the inlet channel, the said valves being normally closed, means connecting the said valves with Amovable members of the piano action to open the said valves, the sets of bass and treble pneumatics, being connected respectively with sundry of the bass and treble sounding devices'of connecting the said bass pneumatics with the outlets of the said air channels, the valves of which are controlled by sounding devices an octave higher, and means connecting the said treble pneumatics with the outlets of the said air channels, the valves of which are controlled by sounding devices two octaves lower, and means for moving the valve bar out of operative position topermit of ordinary playing.

3 In a musical instrument of the character described, the combination of a piano action having bass and treble sounding devices adjustable buttons on sundry of said abstracts of the piano action, a valve bar provided with air inlet channels, springpressed valves mounted on the said valve bar and inlet channel, the said valves being normally closed and each being adapted to be opened by one of the said buttons on a corresponding abstract, sets of bass and treble pneumatics connected with sundry of the said bass and treble Vsounding devices, a second adjustable button on each abstract of the piano actioneacli pneumaticv engaging a second button o n the corresponding abstract, means connecting the said bass and treble pneumatics with the outlets of corresponding. air inlet channels, the valves of said valve bar which are controlled by sounding devices of higher or lower octaves, and means for mov' spring-pressed the piano action, means of an air inlet each controlling the inlet of an air ter described, the combination of a piano action having bass and treble sounding devices adjustable buttons on sundry of' the abstracts of the piano action, a valve'bar provided with air inlet channels, springpressed valves mounted on the said valve bar and each controlling the inlet of an air inlet channel, the said valves 'being normally closed and each being adapted to be opened by one of the said buttons on a corresponding abstract, sets of bass and treble pneumatics connected with sundry of the said bass and treble sounding devices, a second adjustable button on each abstract of the piano action each pneumatic engaging a second button on the corresponding abstract, flexible tubes connecting the said bass and treble pneumatics with the outlets of corresponding air inlet channels, the valves of which are controlled by sounding devices of higher and lower octaves, a fixed rail on which the said valve bar is hinged, and manually controlled means for swinging the said valve bar into inactive position to disconnect the valves from the said first buttons to permit of hand playing in the ordinary manner.

5. In a musical instrument of the character described, the combination of a piano action having bass and treble sounding devices adjustable buttons on sundry of the abstracts of the piano action, a valve bar provided with air inlet channels, springpressed valves mounted on the said valve bar and each controlling the inlet of an air inlet channel, the said valves being normally closed and being each adapted to be opened by one of the said buttons on a corresponding abstract, a second adjustable button on each of the abstracts of the piano action sets of bass and treble pneuinatics, of which the bass set of pneuinatics is connected with the second abstract buttons of sundry of the said bass sounding devices, a-nd the treble set of pneumatics is connected with the second abstract buttons of sundry of the treble sounding devices, flexible tubes connecting the said bass pneumatics with the outlets of the said air inlet channels, the valves of which are controlled by sounding devices an octave higher, and flexible tubes connecting the said treble pneuinatics with the outlets of the said air inlet channels, tlie valves of which are controlled by sounding devices two octaves lower, the said valve bar being movable at will into inactive position to disconnect the sounding devices of said octaves from the primary sounding devices.

6. In a musical instrument of the chai-acter described, the combination of a piano the inlet of an air channel, a second button on sundry of the abstracts of the piano action, each of said second buttons controlling a corresponding valve of said coupling bar to open the saine and admit air to an air inlet channel when the corresponding sounding device is actuated, tubes connecting the outlets of the said air channels with a cori'esponding number of pneumatics having sounding devices of higher or lower octaves than the sounding devices that actuate the said valves, thereby actuating second sounding devices', when the sounding devices controlling the valves are actuated, the absti'acts of the second sounding devices being provided only with the first mentioned buttons, whereby the sounding of third sounding devices is prevented, and means wherev by the coupling bar may be moved into inactive position to prevent the sounding of second sounding devices when the first sounding devices are actuated.

7. In a musical instrument of the character described, the combination of a piano action having bass and treble sounding devices, and bass and treble pneumatics connected with the said sounding devices, a valve bar extending lengthwise of the instrument above the pneuinatics, the said valve bar having air inlet channels, pivoted and spring pressed valves mounted on the said valve bai and projecting at their reai' ends bevond the bar, the said valves each controlling the inlet of anair inlet channel and being normally closed, buttons on the abstracts of the piano action and each engaged by the corresponding pneumatic, sundry of the said abstracts being each provided With a second button located above the first button, the said second buttons corresponding in number with the said valves and adapted to engage the projecting ends of the valves to open the same, and fiexible tubes connecting sundry of the bass and treble pneuinatics with the outlets of said air inlet channels, the valves of which are controlled by sounding devices of higher or lower octaves, the said valve bar being hinged and adapted to be swung into inactive position to move the free ends of the valves out of the path of the said second buttons.

8. In a musical instrument of the character described, the combination of a piano action having bass and treble sounding devices and bass-and treble pneuinatics connected with the sounding devices, of a coupling bar hinged to the frame of the instrument and adapted to be moved into and out of operative position, the said coupling bar having channels provided with air inlets and outlets, means whereby primary sounding devices may be actuated whether the coupling bar is in or out of operative position, and means connecting the outlets of the air channels of the coupling bar with pneumatics of second sounding devices to operate said second sounding devices in unison with the primary sounding devices when the coupling bar is in operative position.

9. In a musical instrument of the charactei' described, the combination with a wind chest, bass and treble pneumatics, connected with the wind chest, a piano action having bass and treble sounding devices, and abstracts for controlling the corresponding sounding devices, each abstract having a button engaging the movable member of a pneumatic and adapted to be lifted thereby when the pneumatic is collapsed, of a coupling bar hinged to the frame ofthe instrument and adapted to be moved into and out of operative position, the said coupling bar being provided with channels having air inlets and outlets, the coupling bar extending lengthwise of the instrument above the series of pneumatics, valves mounted on said bar and each controlling the inlet of an air channel, springs for normally holding the valvesclosed, a second button on sundry of the abstracts of the piano action above the first button, each of said second buttons controlling a corresponding valve of said coupling bar when the latter is in operative position, to lift the valve to admit air to an air channel when the corresponding sounding device is actuated, and flexible tubes connecting said outlets of the air channels with channels of the wind chest corresponding to pneumatics having sounding devices of higher or lower octaves than the sounding devices by which the said valves are actuated, the abstracts of the second sounding devices being provided only with the first mentioned buttons, whereby when the said pneumatics are collapsed and the abstracts corresponding thereto are lifted to sound the said second sounding devices, the sounding of third sounding devices is prevented.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN CLIFFORDV MOORE. EDWARD L. WINSTON.

Witnesses:

PEARL BROOKS, R. L. WILHITE. 

